We all know that since the advent of 3D printers, they have been considered the most promising technology. Over the decades, 3D printers have undergone a glorious development and have been used in the fields of biology, aviation, medicine, and industrialization. However, the main reason why 3D printing has not gained widespread public adoption is that there are several factors that have hindered its mass penetration.
Firstly, even though 3D printers are now priced in the range of a few hundred dollars, making them affordable for household use, anyone who has owned a 3D printer knows that it is common to encounter printing parameter setup issues or operational mistakes that lead to printing failures. The cost of the consumables in such scenarios often exceeds the cost of the item being printed, making the initial learning phase quite expensive.
Secondly, for personal DIY model printing, the most commonly used technologies are FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) and SLA (Stereolithography). While FDM desktop printers have made advancements in terms of biodegradable materials and odor optimization, they still face various problems such as heat stability and nozzle clogging, which can be resolved, but the post-processing of the printed models is quite cumbersome. Additionally, the print quality and resolution of FDM models are often a concern, and higher quality printers come with a much higher price tag, unless one opts for SLA printing.
If one chooses SLA printing, many people find the post-processing and handling of the printed models to be quite troublesome, as SLA prints often involve mild toxicity. Proper safety precautions and support structure design are necessary, which can be a challenge for those not well-versed in 3D modeling.
Moving on to industrial-scale 3D printing, the food industry has explored 3D printing techniques like extruding melted chocolate, but these are things that can be easily done at home without the need for a dedicated 3D printer. The high-end 3D printed meat printers are quite expensive, and the acceptability of the printed products is still a concern for many consumers. The cost of such industrial-scale printing also remains a barrier.
Similarly, in the case of large-scale metal 3D printing for industrial applications, the machinery can cost tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, making it accessible only to large enterprises with substantial capital. Moreover, the cost-effectiveness of such metal 3D printing is still uncertain compared to traditional CNC (Computer Numerical Control) manufacturing. Additionally, China's 3D printing technology is still in its nascent stage, and many advanced techniques are yet to be developed.
Regarding 3D printed houses, while many countries have achieved the capability to print low-rise buildings, China's housing needs, driven by rapid urbanization, require the ability to print high-rise structures, which remains a significant technological challenge for concrete 3D printing.
Furthermore, mass-scale production also tests the speed and durability of 3D printers, which is an area that still needs substantial improvement. However, in the medical field, 3D printing has made notable advancements, such as the ability to mass-produce customized drug tablets, as well as the development of 3D printed prosthetics, surgical recovery aids, and even bioprinted organs.
Overall, while 3D printing has shown tremendous potential, it still faces various technical and cost-related hurdles that have hindered its widespread adoption. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect 3D printing to become more accessible and applicable to a wider range of market needs in the future.
